Essentials of Nutrition for Sports

Product Promotion

A Look at Endurox R4

As an intellectual exercise, let us examine the nutritional claims

and knowledge base that exists for the sports nutritional product Endurox R4. Then, let us consider

a few alternatives to this product

marketed to athletes.

The selection of Endurox R4 for this exercise is not meant as an

endorsement or denigration of the product.

Endurox R4 is promoted as a recovery drink. Endurox R4 is well-known, and typifies traditional nutritional

marketing strategies (hype combined with limited science).

The Product

Figure 18. Endurox R4 canister.

Endurox is manufactured by PacificHealth Laboratories. The

manufacturer’s website is pacifichealthlabs.com.

Endurox is formulated with carbohydrate, protein, and

electrolytes. It has contained the amino acids arginine and glutamine, branched chain amino acids, vitamins E and C, and ciwujia.

31

The nutritional label information is reproduced in

Table 28

.

Serving size

2 scoops (75 g)

Total calories

270

Fat

1 gram

10 calories

Total carbohydrate

52 grams 208 calories

Sugars

40 grams 160 calories

Protein

13 grams

52 calories

Vitamin C

470 milligrams

Vitamin E

400 IU

Calcium

100 milligrams

Magnesium

240 milligrams

Sodium

210

milligrams

Potassium

120 milligrams

Glutamic Acid + L-glutamine

2.6 grams

Branched chain amino acids

2.7 grams

Arginine

1.7

grams

Table 28. Endurox R4 nutritional content.

Recovery Boosters?

The caloric source of most sports drinks, soda pop, and fruit

juices is carbohydrate.

In addition to carbohydrate, E

ndurox has used the following

“recovery boosters:” •^

Adaptogens: Ciwujia

-^

Antioxidants: Vitamins E and C

-^

Branched-chain amino acids

-^

Arginine

-^

Glutamine

-^

Protein in a 4:1 “Optimal Recovery Ratio”

Is there any evidence that any of

these substances is superior to

plain sugar and water?

Let us examine each one in turn.

31 According to the manufacturer, Endurox R4 was reformulated without Ciwujia in 01-2004 to meet NCAA

and IOP rulings about ginseng.

Nutrition for Sports, Essentials of 154